Locking device



Patented July 11, 1950 1 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOCKING. DEVICE James Stanley, Jr., New York, N. Y. Application October 3, 1947, Serial No. 777,828

My invention relates to locks, and to mechanisms associated therewith.

' A primary object of the invention is to provide novel lock constructions, including simplified and positive internal locking mechanisms.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel lock and hasp constructions, which will afford increased security when employed upon a door, cabinet, or the like.

A further object is to provide a lock wherein the key operated mechanism includes cam means to open and close said lock.

:-A still-further object "of the invention is to provide locks and lock mechanisms of extremely simplified and practical design, said locks being strongand durable, positive in action, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following, description.

In the accompanying drawings, forminga part of this application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a lock embodying my invention,

Figure 2 is a central vertical section through the same, part in elevation, and showing a key in position to actuate the lock mechanism,

Figure 3 is a central vertical section taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a similar view showing the lock mechanism in its open or unlocked position,

Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of the lock, looking from line 5-5 of Figure 1,

Figure 6 is a horizontal section taken on line 6-6 of Figure 4,

Figure 7 is a central vertical section through a lock embodying a modification of the invention,

Figure 8 is a similar section through a modified form of the lock shown in Figure 7,

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8, showing the lock in the open position,

Figure 10 is a vertical section taken on line l|ll of Figure 8, part in elevation,

Figure 11 is a horizontal section taken on line Il-Il of Figure 10,

Figure 12 is a horizontal section taken on line I2--l2 of Figure 10.

In the drawings, where for the purpose of illustration are shown preferred embodiments of my invention, attention is called first to Figures 1 to 6 inclusive, wherein the numeral 35 designates a lock body or casing, which is generally rectangular, as viewed in Figure 1, but preferably 2 Claims. (Cl. 70 -33) 2 provided with rounded top corners 35. The casing 35 is fiat and relatively thin, see Figures 3 and 5. The casing isv provided with a central cylindrical opening or bore 31, formed in its bottom end 38, and extending near the top 39 thereof. A transverse elongated rectangular slot 48 is provided near the top end 4| of the bore 31, and this slot extends entirely through the casing, as viewed in Figure 3, and near the sides 42 of the casing. The slot 40 is spaced downwardly from the top end 4| of the bore, and intersects the bore, to form an upper locking recess 43, or keeper seat. The slot 45 is adapted to receive thelocking staple, not shown, of a door, or the like, therein. Vertically slida-bly disposed within the upper portion of the bore 31 is a cylindrical latch member or keeper 44, having a vertical longitudinal projection or key 45 formed upon one side thereof, and integral therewith. This key 45 slidably engages in a longitudinal vertical groove or keyway 4G, formed in the upper, portion of thebore 31, and prevents the keeper 44 from turning upon its longitudinal axis, while permitting it to move vertically. The cylindrical keeper has a lower inclined cam surface 41, to engage the upper inclined cam surface 48 of a key tumbler assembly 49. The tumbler assembly 49 is otherwise of the conventional type used in padlocks, and the like, and is mounted within the lower portion of the bore 31, and held against longitudinal movement in any conventional manner. The tumbler assembly 49 receives a key 50 therein, which is turned a full degrees whenever the lock is opened or closed. The tumbler assembly 49 turns when the key is turned, and the cam surface 48 thereof acts upon the cam surface 41, causing the keeper 44 to move vertically from its open or unlocked position, in Figure 4, to its closed or looking position, in Figure 3, and vice versa. In the locking position, Figure 3, the keeper enters the locking recess 43, and is held therein by tumbler assembly 49. When the lock is opened, and the key 5!] turned to its position in Figure 4, the keeper 44 is moved downwardly by gravity. The lock construction and action described is simple, and few parts are employed. Increased security is aiiorded, since the staple, not shown, is completely surrounded by the slot 40, adjacent to the keeper 44. The lock is positive in its action.

In Figures 8 to 12, inclusive, a modified form [of lock is shown, but the same basic construction and lock action are involved. The principal difference between the form of the invention in Figures 8 to 12, and the first form thereof is in the size of the keepers employed. In Figures 8 to 12, the numeral 51 designates a lock casing, identical with the casing 35, and having a rectangular slot 52, identical in shape and arrangement with the slot -40. A central bore 53 is provided in the bottom end of casing 51, and this bore leads upwardly and terminates Within the casing below the slot 52. The bore 53 leads into a reduced keeper bore 54, arranged at one side of the casing, and tangent totheeborez53. Thebore 54 intersects the slot 52, and terminates above the same; to form a locking recess 55. An elongated cylindrical keeper 56, having a lower spherically rounded or cam end 51 is freely slidably disposedwithin the bore 54, and adapted to move vertically therein. A tumbler assembly 58, likethetumblen assembly 49 is disposed in thelowerportion oithe bore 53, and adapted to be turned b a key; This tumbler assembly has an upper inclined surface" or cam 59 to engage the'rounded end 51. When thetumbler assembly 58; turned 180 degrees, from, its-locked position. of-.Figure 8 toits unlocked position of Figurefi; the keeper 56willmove down wardly under theinfluenceof gravity. The. lock isemployed and,-operated.in,the same manner. as the lock-inthe first form of. the invention.

In. Figure 7, a lock is shown whichembodies. a slight modification of th lock in Figures 8 to 12, and? in which the keeper is capable-of. greater vertical travel. In Figure 7, a casing 51' having a slot-52', and central bore;53' isprovided-witha side: reduced bore, 54', extending, downward. into the cylindrical surface of the bore 53', as shown; The arrangement issuch, thatthe fullinclined width of the cam surface'59' is utilized,v when thetumbler assembly 58' isturnedto. impart vertical movementto the keeper. 56'- All other. elements, and-.their, functions are identical 'with corresponding elements-shown. and describedin con.- nectionwithFigures 8 to 12.

Having. thus described. the-inventiomI claim: 1.. A lock, comprising acasing havinga. slot formed thereinto receivea staple or. the like and acylindricall bore arranged at. right angles to. the

4 slot and intersecting the slot between the ends of the slot, a key-operated rotatable element mounted within the bore and provided at its inner end with an inclined cam face, and a nonrotatable axially-shiftable keeper disposed within the bore between the rotatable element and slot and provided at its outer end with an inclined cam face to contact the inclined cam face of the rotatable element, the arrangement being such that: when the key-operated. rotatable element is turned; the keeper moves" into the slot to lock the staple therein.

2. A lock, comprising a casing having a slot formed; therein to receive a staple or the like and a cylindrical bore arranged at right angles to the slot and' intersecting the slot, th surface of the bore. having alongitudinal groove formed therein. a keeper mounted within the bore and having a radial projection which operates in the groove to prevent the keeper from turning while permittingv itrto be: freely. shiftable longitudinally; the keeper having its outerend beveled to-form; aidiagonal cami face, and a key-operated, rotatable member'mounted within the bore outwardly ofthe keeper and having its inner endbeveled, to form a companion diagonal cam face-tocoact with the cam face'ofthe keeper'so thatiwhenl the key-operated member is turned-the keeper movesinto and out of the slot.

JAMES STANLEY. J R.

REFERENCES} CITED.

The following references are offrecordin file: of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS the 

